UNION, N.J. (1/26/13) – Sophomore Ashley Vasquez scored 16 points to lead three players in double figures as New Jersey City University defeated the Kean University women's basketball team, 64-53 on Saturday afternoon.
Senior Erika Jones and sophomore AnnaRose Pierre each chipped in with a double-double for the Cougars (4-14). Jones, who recorded her ninth straight double-double, finished with 14 points and 12 rebounds, while Pierre finished with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Junior Alnisa Hernaiz finished with a double-double of her own, with 14 points and 12 boards, while freshman Deseree Johnson chipped with 11 points for the Gothic Knights (5-15).
The Gothic Knights stormed out of the gate, starting the game on a 6-0 run just 1:39 in, as Johnson and senior Maxine Kaminski each connected from behind the arc. The Cougars answered back with a 7-1 run, capped off by sophomore Meghan Williams knocking down a three ball with 16:18 to go in the opening half. The Gothic Knights jumped out to their largest advantage of the game of 12, as Vazquez knocked down a jumper with 5:10 remaining, giving NJCU a 31-19 lead. The Gothic Knights went into the break leading by eight, after Pierre connected on the back end of two free throws, shrinking the lead to 39-31. Johnson scored all 11 of her points in the opening stanza, while Jones (pictured left) poured in nine for the Cougars during the first 20 minutes.
The Cougars cut the deficit to just four points (48-44) with 9:38 remaining in the second half after a layup by Pierre. However, this was as close as the Cougars would come, as the Knights were able to nail clutch free throws down the stretch to close out the win. The Gothic Knights were nearly perfect from the line in the second stanza, shooting 16-17 from the stripe. Vazquez chipped in 10, including going 8-9 from the free throw line in the second half. Pierre had nine second half points for the Cougars.
The Cougars return to action Wednesday, January 30th, as they travel to Rowan to battle the Profs at 6 p.m. The Gothic Knights return to action as well on Wednesday as they return home to take on Richard Stockton.
